LIFE IN METHUEN
Lawrence and
Methuen Join Forces for our Veterans
Kathleen
Corey Rahme
Lawrence and Methuen Join Forces for our
Veterans John Heywood, 16th
century writer said “many hands make
work light.” He knew what he was
talking about. I really appreciate what
he said after having experienced the
combined efforts of the people from
Lawrence and Methuen who joined forces in
putting out the flags this past month in
honor of Memorial Day.
Massachusetts General Law, Chapter
15-section 9 requires an American flag be
placed on a veterans’ grave in honor
of Memorial Day. The Methuen Youth Corps
partnered with Mr. Tom Hargreaves and Mr.
Francisco Urena, Directors of Veterans’
Services in Methuen and Lawrence when
thousands of flags were placed in the two
cities. Seven thousand flags were placed
on May 17th alone!
Joining in this effort on May 10 and May
17, at St. Mary’s Cemetery,
Immaculate Conception, Belleview,
Elmwood, St. Anthony’s and Walnut
Grove were hundreds of volunteers. These
volunteers came from Girl Scout Troop 36,
Methuen High School JROTC, Lawrence High
School ROTC, the Lawrence Civil War
Memorial Guard, current soldiers from the
US Army, Raytheon, Boy Scouts Pack 61,
Girl Scout Troop 88, the International
Baton Twirlers, Charlton Triton Regional
LCWMG, numerous veterans from WWII and
beyond, Tenney Peer Leaders, Methuen High
School students, Lawrence Boy Scout Troop
18, the Men of St. Patrick, First Church
Congregational, Boy Scout Troop 53,
Methuen Historical Society, Cub Scout
Pack 55, UMass Lowell, and St. Anthony’s
Maronite Youth Organization.
Without these groups and their
willingness to volunteer, the task to
replace these flags would have been
monumental. Of course, when you start
naming groups you invariably miss
someone. Apologies if you or your group
has been inadvertently omitted. On May
17, 170 volunteers came out to lend a
hand. It was wonderful. We were able to
place 7000 flags in a record two and a
half hours.
Francisco Urena spoke about the
importance of respecting the old, worn
flags. These flags were retired in a flag
burning ceremony and the volunteers were
able to participate by dropping them into
a large pit behind the cemetery. After
the ceremony, volunteers were treated to
lunch. Unfortunately the sandwiches were
late and for that I would like to offer
sincere apologies to those who left
hungry.
Earlier in May, Shawn Clancy led a group
of volunteers at the Elmwood and they
edged the veterans’ bronze markers
in the veterans’ lot. This was part
of his Eagle Scout award. The Methuen
Youth Corps turned out fifty-three
volunteers to edge bronze markers on the
other side of the cemetery. We were
joined that day by Fidelity House, Tenney
Peer Leaders, numerous veterans, Pack 55,
and other adult volunteers as part of the
Methuen Clean-Up Day. Sod tends to
accumulate around the markers. This is
our fifth year doing this edging.
The people who participate in this effort
always say the same thing in their desire
to continue; “Just one more marker.”
I know what they mean.
Kathleen Corey Rahme
is the former City Councilor in Methuen,
is the founder of the Methuen Youth
Corps., and hosts “Call to Serve.”
You can email her at kcorey rahme@comcast.net or call 978-686-0008
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
All
pictures and material are
(C) copyright, Valley Patriot, Inc., 2008
|
